Crate Training With Great Danes

Great Danes are often referred to as "gentle giants." They are huge, powerful dogs that have a gentle, friendly demeanor. Great Danes are family oriented, but like any dog, they must be trained to remain in their own area when needed. Crates for Great Danes are a necessity for the safety of the dog while family members are not home or when the pet owner needs the dog confined to one area. Crate training a Great Dane is one of the most important things the dog will ever learn. Crate training helps the Great Dane remain calm and be comfortable in smaller spaces--for example, when riding in a car. It also prevents such a large dog from running around the house.

  1. Crate Size

    • Great Danes require an extra-large crate, which is an expense, but the crate will last a lifetime. A crate size that comfortably holds a Great Dane is 54 inches long by 37 inches wide and 45 inches tall. It is better to buy a crate that will accommodate an adult Great Dane, even if you're training a puppy when you purchase the crate. Great Danes grow very quickly, and within a few months your dog will be close to adult size. If the Great Dane puppy seems afraid and lost in such a large crate, a barrier can be placed close to the front of the crate to form a small room. As the Great Dane grows, move the barrier farther back in the crate until the dog is full size.

    Introduce the Crate

    • Have dog treats ready when introducing the crate.

      Some Great Danes will enter the crate with no problem, while others will have to be trained to go into the crate. Place the dog crate somewhere in the house where it is easily accessible--for instance, the kitchen or living room. Prop open the door to the crate and bring the Great Dane into the room. Treat the dog if he looks at the crate, walks near the crate or touches the crate with his nose. If the Great Dane actually puts one or two paws in the crate, toss in a treat and see if the dog will go in. Practice this routine until the Great Dane is happy to go into the crate. Feed the Great Dane in the crate so he knows it is a great place to be.

    Refuses to Enter

    • If your Great Dane will not enter the crate, do not use a treat to lure the dog in. Let the Great Dane make the decision to go into the unfamiliar crate. If the dog totally refuses to enter the crate no matter what technique is used, take the crate apart so the Great Dane only has to walk onto the floor of the crate. Some crates are difficult to disassemble, so a large, flattened cardboard box can be used instead. Have the Great Dane walk onto the cardboard. This gets her used to standing on a small area. Continue to give the Great Dane treats for walking on the floor of the crate, and when she is comfortable doing this, put the crate back together.

    Crying in the Crate

    • Some Great Danes are afraid to be inside a crate.

      Some Great Danes cry or whine when the door to the crate is closed. Don't close the door of the crate until the dog is totally familiar and comfortable with entering the crate. Similarly, never push him into the crate, or any positive progress will be lost. Feed your Great Dane in the crate with the door open at first. Then gently open and close the door, but do not lock it. Just hold the door closed until the Great Dane is almost finished eating, then open the crate door. Open and shut the crate door a few times. When your dog seems calm with the opening and closing of the door, latch the door and take a few steps back, then go to the door again and open it. Continue this process until the dog is not concerned with the door being closed.

    Add a Cue

    • Great Danes are intelligent and cooperative.

      Add a cue for your Great Dane to enter the crate after she is completely at ease entering and staying in it with the door closed. Any work will do for a cue. The words "crate" or "go to bed" are popular cues for sending the dog into a crate. Continue working on the crate training procedures until your dog is quietly sleeping in the crate through the night. Every Great Dane is different, so this process could take from a few days to a few months to accomplish. Just remember that Great Danes are very cooperative and intelligent. Using a positive crate training method will help your dog look forward to spending time in the crate.